This documentary tells the story of how five countries in Southern Africa have joined forces to protect and preserve the precious watersheds of Kavango and Zambezi Rivers, and how this ambitious plan impacts on the rights of the people living in this vast area.
Click through the slide show for some of the latest images from the project
As one of the largest conservation areas in the world, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, known as the “KAZA Park”, spans an area the size of Italy in the heart of Southern Africa where Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet. Through a remarkable and unprecedented collaboration these five countries have committed themselves to co-ordinate their wildlife and water conservation approaches. By breaking down old, colonial borders and the fences that marked them, the park allows the remaining wildlife to roam freely in this area and to follow their natural migration routes. In the face of ever increasing water scarcity this can mean the difference between life and death for many of the region’s endangered species. It is also hoped that the plan will bring more development and jobs benefiting the people in this area.
Many species of wild animals, including the largest population of African Elephants, already roam across this landscape. The threats to their survival range from climate change to habitat loss, and illegal trade. Unlike the hopelessness with which this issue is often presented, conservation initiatives already exist within areas of the KAZA park that offer a multitude of positive and successful solutions. Collectively these approaches have the potential to turn the tide on the disappearing species of sub-Saharan Africa, especially when they are rolled out across the five countries’ artificial state boundaries.
There are an estimated 2 – 2.5 million people living in the park, many of whom live in poverty and social and economic deprivations. Human rights, like the right to water, are deeply connected to environmental protection and the KAZA plan is envisioned to promote both.
What Is Being Created?
A 100 minute feature length documentary about the KAZA project for worldwide distribution and as an Informative package for people affected by and included in the park. This is a short version of the upcoming feature-length documentary, Wilderness Beyond Borders.
Photographic Reportage:
A 100 body of photographic work – a visual story about the park’s creation – for publication in newspapers and as an online slide show.
Series of Stories In Print:
A series of four print stories to be distributed through local and international newspapers on the themes of project: Human Rights, Climate Change, Environmental Stewardship, and Conservation. An example of this is here, with a story by the Director in the South African Mail and Guardian.
Online Sharing:
A website and a blog enable weekly live updates with stories about the project hosted by LinkTV and interfaces for mobile devices so that people with only cellphone access (like many KAZA residents) can also follow this project as it unfolds. See the blog with stories about the project,
Funding:
With funds received from the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa we started this project as part of “Creating a Climate for Change”. We are currently seeking funding to complete “Wilderness Beyond Boarders”. Please get in touch for more information on how to get involved.
What a very good idea , having conservation areas with no borders , and giving total freedom to men and nature , The KAZA-TFCA is an example what can be created to benefit the ecology and environment by local inhabitants , and to have the local population attending to manage and preserve the beauty of the African Bush and its animals , all with respect , observing the natural biodiversity and clean healthy waterways thru training , education and experience and local knowledge.
The big KAZA “Sin ” is that no one from KAZA- TFCA management has ever tried to stop the Oil drilling that is within the boundaries of the KAZA-TFCA conservation area by Canadian ReconAfrica . No one of KAZA-TFCA had the understanding that conservation is prioritized to oil and gas drilling. Management should make an effort to visit the ugly scars and environmental damages at both the BH-01 and BH0-02 drilling sites for oil and gas. Since when do you travel in the Kruger National Park and find a huge noisy , polluting oil and gas drill near Sabie Camp. ???
Since Dec.2020 and before , no one of KAZA has ever tried to remove ReconAfrica or close the 2 bush damaged drilling sites. The oil and gas industry is not at all compatable , with our precious and beautiful nature , waterways , swamps , wildlife , ecology and biodiversity !!!
This shamefull and environment neglecting mistake will be brought to notice of SADEC. How , with a clean sober thinking brain , can oil and gas drilling be allowed in the worlds largest conservation Park , and biggest in Africa